Aberdeenshire 51

Biggar 27

Al Stewart at Woodside

THIS trip was always likely to be one of the most difficult away matches, not only because of the distance involved but also because 'Shire finished in 4th spot at the end of last season's league campaign.

They were a well organised XV last season and there was nothing to suggest that they would be anything less this time around, their 80-odd point win the previous week seemingly confirming these thoughts.

Proceedings began at a cracking pace and one which barely relented the whole match.

Stuart Hull took an interception which almost saw him free to the line, before he was hauled down by the cover defence.

Biggar then conspired to gift their hosts two early tries as the defence was found wanting under the high ball.

The sun was the only possible mitigating excuse but as it was, Shire stand off Carne Green took full advantage of the first and Michael McKeand the second.

Green kicked one conversion and then added two penalties before the third 'Shire score, this going to Nathan Clough although there was more than a hint of a forward pass in the final transfer.

At 25-0 down David Paterson was set free but a Shire turnover relieved the pressure albeit for only a short time as an Aird Jardine grubber saw the Shire defence scramble back to concede a drop out.

The restart saw a sustained passage of play involving some good phases which stretched the 'Shire defence and which culminated in stand off Andrew Jardine taking Richard Peacock's pass for a sprint to the line.

Barely two minutes later and on the half hour mark a Hull break saw ball transferred to Aird Jardine who kicked cleverly to winger Paterson who scampered across for try number two – Peacock's conversion took the score to 25-12.

In reply 'Shire scored arguably the best try as some excellent angles and well-timed passes saw winger Luke Taylor round the defence for a try.

Not to be outdone Peacock took Andy Jardine's pass to break clear for a try which he converted for 32-19.

Jardine kicked a penalty for Biggar at the start of the second half to put them just two scores adrift at 32-22.

Shire replied with a well worked try for their skipper Greg Ryan with Green typically adding the conversion.

The hosts scored their fifth try from a neat attack down the blindside from a scrum some five metres out, Brad Fraser the scorer.

Referee Andrew Peterson awarded a string of penalties against Shire, these culminating eventually in yellow cards.

A combination of some stout defence and some costly errors prevented Biggar from adding to their tally.

In the end it was scrum half Davy Reive who broke the deadlock with just eight minutes remaining.

Throwing caution to the wind Biggar tried running the ball from wherever and while they again made inroads and won penalties they were unable to cross the line.

And it was Shire who had the final word with a try and conversion to wrap things up at 51-27.

Biggar: Richard Peacock, Alistair Sinclair, Andrew Jardine, Stuart Hull, David Paterson, Aird Jardine, David Reive, Donald Voas, Ewan Stewart, Calvin Henderson, Zander Lyon, Jamie Orr, Alan Warnock, Ewan Sanderson, Ross Jackson. Reps: Andrew Orr, Dan O'Connell, Grant Hamilton, Gregor Stewart.